How often do we hear this….

When I use to watch The Apprentice, I liked it mostly for the Board room commentary and how individuals would be criticized on the talent of their work. Sometimes the language or matter in which it was given was rather harsh but I understood it was for the entertaining value of the show. That ratings depended on the crazy things the people would say or do. The best part of it was, I was able to “turn it off” if I didn’t like it. It had no impact on the daily life I had except to provide a form of amusement.

I use to find it amusing how Donald Trump would sit in his large chair in the center of the Board room table and in his authoritative way declare if you stayed or, “Your Fired.” I was never really sure I wanted to work for someone who behaved or acted in the matter that he did but, it seemed only fair that he could hire and fire anyone he wanted for his own company. Television ratings loved the show and so did everyday people. See, the award of The Apprentice was to work for the Trump organization, a job I might add that came with a wonderful salary and tons of perks.

I know many of you have seen the show and am wondering why I am telling you all this;

Here’s the Thing….The reality show concept or the reality game of The Apprentice has turned around, I don’t work for Donald Trump, he works for me. The minute he was sworn in he became the President of the American People. He now represents all of us around the world. He is the one walking into the Board room all nervous and hoping to have the right answers to the questions that are asked of him. He is now The Apprentice and the American People are head of the Board room. I am not sure that this concept has been realized.

So, as one of many, “in charge of the Board room” and in the kindness way possible, listen up, I am willing to give you a chance but this is NOT a reality television show. This is REAL LIFE. Please treat your new position that way or you may hear from the American people the very words you have said to others… “Your Fired!”

When I tell my daughter to do something she used to do it. No questions asked, just did it but now, she is a young adult who by her own right tells me, “No.” At first, I was a little surprised, and yes, delighted in her new found independence but other times I was so afraid for her. Not afraid that she couldn’t achieve the goals she was striving for but afraid that those obstacles and pit falls that had fallen upon me would blind side her in the worst possible way. She knows right from wrong, she knows there are consequences, she respects others and she was brought up well.

I could see vividly in my mind the crying, the tears and I could feel the pain that she would feel from decisions that somehow I felt were not the best. I didn’t want her to go through such pain so, I would fight with her and fight till somehow the “new idea” would fade away and she would continue on her way. Another disaster totally missed. I was able to sleep a little better at night but, it never stayed that way for long.

It would happen again, but this time I was reminded that she had to make her own mistakes and she had to find a way if it failed. That no matter how much I wanted to protect her, she needed to go. To go and discover the path that would lead her on her own journey.

Here’s the thing….How different is this growing up of a child any different from a new President who seems to fight at every turn? He fights businesses, celebrities, leaders, and well, everyone. Like my daughter, he gets on social media (which I can not stand) and makes comments that are misunderstood, rude, brash, you name it. Though each one has an image of what they want done there might be a point here to make.

I am not a twitter fan. I told my daughter this a long time ago and I will tell anyone who wants to “tweet” to just keep their opinion to themselves. I find it to not only complicate a situation but gets too many opinions involved. There is so much drama surrounding a tweet that the real issue seems to get lost in the side drama issues . No one can have a solid, good, conversation with limited characters.

If you want to “tell” someone something, talk to them directly. Lay out your argument or your news and give the person the opportunity to talk to you directly about what you are saying. That’s a conversation and somehow I think that does not seem to be happening as often as it should these days. Now, if you really don’t want to answer someone questioning you, then maybe tweeting it is a good way to speak. Unfortunately, it can make you appear uneducated.

If tweeting is your thing, there should be some basic rules. You should:

Always have a disclaimer of contents on the bottom

Check your spelling

Check your grammar

Realize it never gets fully deleted

Not everyone cares or many will criticize it

Here’s the Thing…. Talking to people is hard. They may not always want to hear about what you are saying cause sometimes, no one really cares what you think. Also, having a conversation, articulating what you really mean is not always an easy thing to do. It takes thought, it takes poise and it takes you to actually stand in front of your audience.

I get it, it is good for some things such as; telling me that there has been an emergency but beyond that…. Have a courier deliver it to me.

I am hoping that all of you enjoyed the Holidays as much as I did. Some of you, I think, may have gotten a bit mad at me when I stood in line at the grocery store and had a conversation with the cashier. Others of you may have gotten mad because I actually decided to drive the speed limit when traveling to see family. And well, others of you may have been just plain old frustrated that you had to be patient. I am sure that the moments pasted and that the real issue was that you were dealing with family in your house. That maybe you had to cook a big meal you had no idea had to make or maybe it was because your children, whether young or old, were running around the house messing it up right after you cleaned it.

All these things can make anyone grumpy, upset or plain old mean. I do hope that when you gathered around the dinner table, couch or wherever you decided to eat a Holiday meal, you smiled and felt like you were loved.

Here’s the Thing…..All families have issues, good ones or bad ones. All of us try so hard to make it all so perfect, but that is not why we get together. The reason is to celebrate but also to reconnect to all of those that in the coming year, you will not or may not be able see again.

So, when you are writing out those New Year resolutions, think about adding a few that are not about losing weight, but to reconnect with those you know, to share time with your family and to reconnect with those that maybe you did not see over the Holidays.